YKL-40 overexpression

We present novel data for increased YKL-40 expression in tumor buds within the front of tumor invasion. We assume that the combination of this morphological parameter with the tissue level of the pleotropic YKL-40 glycoprotein could serve as a future prognostic biomarker for CRC stratification and treatment.

The findings from this study could contribute to the development of new diagnosis and treatment strategies for this rare and aggressive cancer. Future research directions may include investigating other possible pathways involved in melanoma progression.

Knockdown of VE-cad or the PD-L1 gene ablated the effects of YKL-40 and reinvigorated TALL-104 cell immunity against vessels. In summary, our study demonstrates a novel vascular immune escape mechanism by which mGBM promotes tumor vascularization and malignant transformation.

Six independent cohorts of CRC patients were stratified by YKL-40 tissue expression to define its prognostic role and its effect on cetuximab and oxaliplatin treatment response. YKL-40 high-expressing HCT116 and Caco2 cells showed increased motility, invasion and proliferation. Our study recognizes a novel role of YKL-40 tissue expression in promoting CRC metastatic potential, through EMT signaling activation, and provides significant clinical implications that may impact the risk prediction of patients with mCRC. YKL-40 high tissue levels also strengthen a predictive value for better cetuximab responsiveness, even in patients with KRAS mutations. Since resistance to cetuximab remains one of the greatest challenges in treating CRC, our findings may be crucial for developing novel YKL-40-targeted therapy approaches.